George Ogello Obiero (Suing as the administrator Ad Litem of the Estate of Otieno Obiero - Deceased) v Okoth Moses Odhiambo & another (Both sued in their capacity as the Joint Administrators of the Estate of Morris Onyango Jonyo - Deceased); Kindu Catholic Church (Interested Party); Thomas Okong'o (Proposed 3rd Defendant) [2019] KEELC 858 (KLR)
The bottom line
#A Migori court added a third party to a land dispute because resolving it required everyone claiming the same parcel to be in one case.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Questions the Court framed
#The issues the Court set itself to decide, in its own words.
- 1.Whether the proposed 3rd defendant (Thomas Okong'o) is a necessary party who should be joined to the proceedings
- 2.Whether the plaintiff should be granted leave to amend the originating summons upon the joinder
- 3.Whether the costs of the application should be in the cause
Key legal issues
#Whether the proposed 3rd defendant is a necessary party
The application for joinder was allowed because the dispute relates to the same suit land and transactions involving the proposed defendant
The court found that the dispute between the parties and the proposed 3rd defendant concerns the same parcel of land, North Sakwa/Kadera Lwala/166, and the same or a series of transactions. Order 1 Rule 3 permits joinder of all persons against whom a right to relief arising out of the same act or transaction is alleged, where common questions of law or fact would arise. Joinder was aligned with the overriding objective under the Environment and Land Court Act and would enable final and effectual determination of the controversy.
Legal principles established
#- The court has discretion to order joinder of any person as plaintiff or defendant at any stage of the proceedings, and joinder is proper where it enables effective and complete adjudication of the real matter in dispute
Court orders
#- 1.Thomas Okong'o is enjoined in the proceedings as the 3rd defendant
- 2.The plaintiff is granted leave to amend the originating summons and serve it on the defendants within fourteen (14) days for their response
- 3.Such further orders as the court shall deem fit and just
- 4.Costs of the application to be in the cause
The bench
#One judgment of the whole court — no separate or dissenting opinions.
Wrote the judgment
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Order 1 Rule 10 of the Civil Procedure Rules, 2010 and sections 1A and 1B of the Civil Procedure Act (Cap 21)
Quotable passages
#Verbatim from the judgment, each located to the page it appears on in the official PDF — so these can be cited and checked directly.
The court has the unfettered discretion to order that the name of any person be joined as a plaintiff or defendant at any stage of the proceedings.
On that score, the joinder of the proposed 3rd defendant is necessary for the determination of the real matter in dispute.
Accordingly, the application dated 21st January 2019 mounted by the plaintiff/ applicant be and is hereby allowed in terms of orders (i) (ii), (iii) and (iv) sought therein.
Issues in the judgment
#The judgment cites 'section 3 of the Environment and Land Act,2015 (2011)' - the statute is actually the Environment and Land Court Act, 2011; the citation as printed is internally inconsistent
The case number of the principal suit is not stated anywhere in the judgment
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "George Ogello Obiero (Suing as the administrator Ad Litem of the Estate of Otieno Obiero - Deceased) v Okoth Moses Odhiambo & another (Both sued in their capacity as the Joint Administrators of the Estate of Morris Onyango Jonyo - Deceased); Kindu Catholic Church (Interested Party); Thomas Okong'o (Proposed 3rd Defendant) [2019] KEELC 858 (KLR)", Case Analysis (2019). Not stated in judgment (chamber summons dated 21st January 2019). Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelc/2019/858/eng@2019-10-23
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.